Resistance Test

HIV drugs are designed to keep your viral load under control by preventing the virus from reproducing (making copies of itself). Sometimes HIV changes, or mutates as it makes copies of itself. These changes may allow the virus to overcome the effects of a drug and keep reproducing. When this happens, we say HIV has developed resistance to that drug.

Resistance decreases the ability of HIV drugs to control your virus and reduces your treatment options. The best way to prevent resistance is to stick closely (adhere) to your HIV drug regimen. With good adherence, resistance is less likely to develop.

Drug resistance tests are used to determine if your virus has developed resistance to HIV drugs. There are several types of resistance tests available.

Phenotype test
This test exposes your virus to many HIV drugs in a test tube to determine which ones still work against your HIV

Virtual phenotype test
This is a genotype test that goes one step further -- it uses phenotype information to predict which drugs will be effective against your virus (and its mutations)

In most cases, the genotype is the preferred test. For people who have been on HIV treatment before and may have HIV that is resistant to a number of different drugs, including protease inhibitors, the phenotype test may be done in addition to the genotype.

When Should You Get a Resistance Test?

Resistance testing is recommended for people who have:

just been diagnosed as living with HIV, whether or not they are going to take HIV drugs right away

never taken HIV drugs and are starting to receive medical care, whether or not they are going to take HIV drugs right away

never been on HIV drugs and are planning to start

see their viral load go up despite being on HIV drugs

recently started HIV drugs and their viral load is not coming down enough

become pregnant while living with HIV

Resistance testing is not usually recommended for:

People who have stopped HIV drugs for four weeks or more

People with a viral load below 500-1,000 copies

Resistance tests are helpful when choosing a drug regimen but the tests are only a guide. Other factors, such as past medications, side effects, and adherence must also be taken into account.

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Tropism Test

Tropism describes the way HIV infects CD4 cells. Finding out the tropism of HIV is important because there is a class of HIV drugs that works against HIV that infects cells through something called the CCR5 co-receptor. This class of drugs is called CCR5 antagonists or entry inhibitors. They block HIV from attaching to the CCR5 co-receptors of CD4 cells. If HIV cannot attach to CD4 cells, it cannot enter and infect the cells. CCR5 antagonists or entry inhibitors only work for people whose HIV is CCR5 tropic.

When Should You Get a Tropism Test?

Tropism testing lets your health care provider know if you have CCR5 tropic virus. It is important that you take this test if you are thinking of starting a CCR5 antagonist. At this point, there is only one CCR5 antagonist available called Selzentry (maraviroc), but there are others in development.

Hypersensitivity Test for Ziagen

The HIV drug Ziagen (abacavir) can cause life-threatening reactions similar to severe allergic reactions in some people. Symptoms of hypersensitivity include rash, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath. People with a certain gene (HLA-B*5701) are at risk for developing this hypersensitivity reaction. Consequently, the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) recommends being tested for HLA-B*5701 before beginning treatment with Ziagen.

When Should You Get a Hypersensitivity Test?

If you and your health care provider are thinking about beginning treatment with Ziagen, it is important for you to get the HLA-B*5701 blood test. If you are found to have the HLA-B*5701 gene, the DHHS recommends that you not take Ziagen.

Bottom Line

Regular lab tests are very important in the management of your health and your HIV. Speak to your health care provider about when you need to take the tests described above and how they can be used to help you make treatment decisions.

This article was provided by The Well Project. Visit The Well Project's Web site to learn more about their resources and initiatives for women living with HIV. The Well Project shares its content with TheBody.com to ensure all people have access to the highest quality treatment information available. The Well Project receives no advertising revenue from TheBody.com or the advertisers on this site. No advertiser on this site has any editorial input into The Well Project's content.

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